Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

which

adjective
\ ˈhwich How to pronounce which (audio) , ˈwich\

Definition of which

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : being what one or ones out of a group —used as an interrogative which tie should I wearkept a record of which employees took their vacations in July
2 : whichever it will not fit, turn it which way you like
3 —used as a function word to introduce a nonrestrictive relative clause and to modify a noun in that clause and to refer together with that noun to a word or word group in a preceding clause or to an entire preceding clause or sentence or longer unit of discourse in German, which language might … have been the medium of transmission— Thomas Pylesthat this city is a rebellious city …  : for which cause was this city destroyed — Ezra 4:15 (King James Version)

which

pronoun

Definition of which (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : what one or ones out of a group —used as an interrogative which of those houses do you live inwhich of you want tea and which want lemonadehe is swimming or canoeing, I don't know which
2 : whichever take which you like
3 —used as a function word to introduce a relative clause —used in any grammatical relation except that of a possessive —used especially in reference to animals, inanimate objects, groups, or ideas the bonds which represent the debt— G. B. Robinsonthe Samnite tribes, which settled south and southeast of Rome— Ernst Pulgram —used freely in reference to persons as recently as the 17th century our Father which art in heaven — Matthew 6:9 (King James Version) , and still occasionally so used but usually with some implication of emphasis on the function or role of the person rather than on the person as such chiefly they wanted husbands, which they got easily— Lynn White —used by speakers on all educational levels and by many reputable writers, though disapproved by some grammarians, in reference to an idea expressed by a word or group of words that is not necessarily a noun or noun phrase he resigned that post, after which he engaged in ranching — Current Biography
that, which, or who?: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Learn More about which

Keep scrolling for more

that, which, or who?: Usage Guide

Pronoun

In current usage that refers to persons or things, which chiefly to things and rarely to subhuman entities, who chiefly to persons and sometimes to animals. The notion that that should not be used to refer to persons is without foundation; such use is entirely standard. Because that has no genitive form or construction, of which or whose must be substituted for it in contexts that call for the genitive.

That vs. Which: Usage Guide

Pronoun

Although some handbooks say otherwise, that and which are both regularly used to introduce restrictive clauses in edited prose. Which is also used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses. That was formerly used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses; such use is virtually nonexistent in present-day edited prose, though it may occasionally be found in poetry.

Examples of which in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 The real Morel and Wilson had no luck reaching MTA, which shut down 20 years ago and was dropped from the Colorado secretary of state’s registry in 2001. — Grace Schneider, The Courier-Journal, "Identity theft? High school dropout sees wages taken by government to repay student loan," 6 July 2017 June Gloom is over, summer is officially here – and the days are only getting shorter – which is reason enough to knock off work early and head to happy hour. — Cole Kazdin, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Best Summer Happy Hours in L.A.," 6 July 2017 Reeder's dog is allergic to wheat, which is not uncommon. — William Thornton, AL.com, "The Barkery serves up treats for Montgomery's dogs (and a few cats)," 6 July 2017 MLB Pitch, Hit & Run encourages youth players to develop their skills by competing in pitching, hitting, and running competitions, which begin at the local level and continuing through sectional and team championships. — Jim Varsallone, miamiherald, "Busy times for Miami 12-year-old during MLB All-Star Week Miami," 6 July 2017 This year's show will be at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds, 2581 W. State Road 2, LaPorte, which can accommodate 90-100 vendors. — Post-Tribune, "Community news," 5 July 2017 Many progressives object to developers’ business model, which depends on building new units and charging as much as possible for them, even if that makes them unaffordable for longtime residents. — Alana Semuels, The Atlantic, "Stop Worrying and Learn to Love the Developers," 5 July 2017 Residents seem to be embracing the electric people-movers, which are now operating under summer hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Hamik said. — Erin Hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Naperville Tuk Tuk fleet doubles in size in less than a year," 5 July 2017 The biggest spending cuts hit the Medicaid program, which provides health coverage for low-income children and adults, including paying for nearly half of all births and much of the cost of nursing home care. — Julie Appleby, Kaiser Health News, "What Tax Breaks? Those Promised In GOP Plans Go Mostly To Top 1%," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'which.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of which

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Pronoun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for which

Adjective

Middle English, of what kind, which, from Old English hwilc; akin to Old High German wilīh of what kind, which, Old English hwā who, gelīk like — more at who, like

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about which

Dictionary Entries near which

whf

whfg

whge

which

whichaway

whichever

which is to say

Statistics for which

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for which

The first known use of which was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for which

which

adjective
How to pronounce which (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of which

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: what one or ones of a group : what particular one or ones

which

pronoun

English Language Learners Definition of which (Entry 2 of 2)

: what one or ones out of a group
—used to introduce an additional statement about something that has already been mentioned
—used after a preposition to refer again to something that has already been mentioned

See the full definition for which in the English Language Learners Dictionary

which

adjective
\ ˈhwich How to pronounce which (audio) , ˈwich\

Kids Definition of which

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: what certain one or ones Which hat should I wear?

which

pronoun

Kids Definition of which (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : which one or ones Which is the right answer?
2 —used in place of the name of something other than people at the beginning of a clause He needs help, which we can provide.The idea which you had was good.

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on which

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with which

Spanish Central: Translation of which

Nglish: Translation of which for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of which for Arabic Speakers

Comments on which

What made you want to look up which? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

magniloquent

Listen to the pronounciation of magniloquent

grandiloquent, ostentatious, or bombastic

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Original Meanings Quiz

  • rembrandt-painting-a-young-scholar-and-his-tutor
  • Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

TRENDING NOW

  1. catamount Vermont enters the Round of 64

  2. mendacious, mendacity George Conway calls Trump a liar

  3. crawdad New novel makes waves

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games